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Elbasan incinerator session postponed due to defendants’ absence

Postponement of the court session for the Elbasan incinerator has been decided again this Thursday. Based on the information at hand, the court has decided that the hearing will take place on September 21 at 09:30. According to the information, the reason for the postponement of the session was the …

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Government reshuffles voted in parliament

The Assembly of Albania voted today in the plenary session for the appointment of two new ministers, Ervin Mete and Delina Ibrahimaj. Ervin Mete was appointed head of Finance and Economy with 74 votes in favor and 30 against. Meanwhile, Delina Ibrahimaj was dismissed with 105 votes in favor from …

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Elbasan policeman among arrested in huge drugs operation

An anti-drug operation, for which the investigation started months ago, has been extended to several cities in the country, this Thursday including Elbasan. According to the Elbasan Police, among those arrested in Elbasan is also a police officer, Saimir Hysa. He was aware of the criminal activity and is charged …

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Census of Population and Housing/ Rama: An important process, it will be done according to European standards

The Population and Housing Census is expected to start on September 18. Prime Minister Edi Rama, present at the opening conference, emphasized that this is an important initiative. While describing it as an ‘exercise’ difficult to carry out, the head of the government said that it will be done according …

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Rama: Albania, advanced European legislation for minorities

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking about the new population and housing census, said that he is proud of the fact that our country has integrated minorities. He emphasized that Albania has the most advanced European legislation regarding minorities and that no one can lecture him on this matter. “I am very …

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Soreca considers Albania’s census as ‘important to EU path’

Chargé d’affaires of the diplomatic corps of the EU in Albania, former ambassador Luigi Soreca, declared this Wednesday to the media that he feels privileged to have returned to the country. During the conference together with the head of the government, about the census and registration of housing, Soreca said …

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Woman involved in ex-Kukes mayor’s sex scandal left in house arrest

Special Court against Corruption (GJKKO) has rejected this Wednesday the request for a milder security measure against Alma Kaçi. The 40-year-old woman who was involved in the sexual scandal with the former mayor of Kukes, Safet Gjici, was requesting a change in measure from “house arrest” to mandatory appearance, but …

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Çuçi: Parliament has an important role in Albania’s negotiations with the EU

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Bledi Çuçi, this Wednesday in a press conference gave details about the priorities they have in the new parliamentary session. In his speech, Çuçi stated that Integration remains the main priority of the Socialist Party this parliamentary session, where he …

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The average salary increases, unemployment decreases

Despite the problems, the labor market has continued to show positive progress. INSTAT statistics show that salaries have followed the upward trend, influenced especially by the government’s decision to change the level of salaries in the administration. Compared to the same quarter last year, the average gross salary for the …

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The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana eased the charges against Rraja

The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana changed the charge against members of the Rraja tribe in relation to the violence against the cousins ​​Bilbil and Jashar Maja because the medical-legal expertise determined that the injuries sustained are classified as light and without consequences for life. The serious event took place at …

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Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

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China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here

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Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News
Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

News

China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here

News

Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here